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DIVISIONS OF HISTORIC PLACES

Within planning, there are three main divisions of historic areas. The first and most important to
planning is the historic district. In the United States, this is a group of buildings, properties, and/or other
sites that are said to be historically significant and in need of protection/redevelopment. Outside of the
U.S., similar places are often called "conservation areas." This is a common term used in Canada, India,
New Zealand, and the U.K. to designate places with historical natural features, cultural areas, or animals
to be protected.
Historic parks are the second division of areas within historic preservation while historic landscapes are
the third.

SIGNIFICANCE IN PLANNING
Historic preservation is important to urban planning because it represents an effort to conserve
old building styles. In doing so, it forces planners to identify and work around the protected places. This
usually means the insides of buildings are renovated for prestigious office, retail, or residential space,
which can result in a competitive downtown as rents are normally high in these areas because they are
popular gathering places.
In addition, historic preservation also results in a less homogenized downtown landscape. In many new
cities, the skyline is dominated by glass, steel, and concrete skyscrapers. Older cities that have had their
historic buildings preserved may have these but they also have the interesting older buildings. For
example in Boston, there are new skyscrapers, but the renovated Faneuil Hall shows the importance of
the area's history and also serves as a meeting place for the city's population.
This represents a good combination of the new and old but also shows one of the main goals of historic
preservation.

CRITICISMS OF HISTORIC PRESERVATIONS
Like many movements in planning and urban design, historic preservation has had a number of
criticisms though. The largest is the cost. While it might not be more expensive to renovate old buildings
instead of building new, the historic buildings are often smaller and therefore cannot accommodate as
many businesses or people. This raises rents and forces lower income uses to relocate. In addition,
critics say the popular style of newer high rise buildings can cause the smaller, old buildings to become
dwarfed and undesirable.
Despite these criticisms however, historic preservation has been an important part of urban planning. As
such, many cities around the world today were able to retain their historic buildings so future
generations can see what cities may have looked like in the past and recognize that time's culture
through its architecture.

CITY EXAMPLES
1.) Victoria, Texas USA
Community leaders have recently
taken a big step toward restoring and
revitalizing Victoria's historic downtown. The
city created a Main Street Program, which
focuses on beautifying portions of downtown
and restoring some of its most historic
buildings.
The museums, art galleries and
theaters in Victoria are strongly supported.
Many historians believe Victoria is the starting
point Texas history. The city has more than 100 properties listed on the National Register of Historic
Places, including the Victoria County Courthouse, which faced demolition in 1994. The original
courthouse was built in 1892. Throughout the years additions were made, but in 1994 it had fallen into
disrepair. The city held a vote to see if citizens were in favor of spending more than $4 million to restore
the courthouse. That measure passed with a majority of voters in favor of the restoration.
Victoria Preservation Inc. is leading the call for protection of the city's historic properties. The group has
focused its efforts on educating citizens about the benefits of saving old structures and retaining the
character of the city, which was founded in 1839.
"This is a very strong property rights state," Dunnam says. "People don't like to be told what they can
and can't do with their property, but there are a lot of people who do support historic preservation. We
had 83 percent of voters vote for the restoration of the courthouse."
The Junior League of Victoria restored its building, which was constructed in 1895, and Fossati's
Delicatessen, located in a structure that dates to 1895, is the oldest deli in the state and one of the
oldest restaurants in the country.
Number of Properties on the National Register of Historic Places (including districts): 113
Historic Landmarks: De Leon Plaza (1890), St. Mary's Catholic Church (1904), Fossati's Deli (1895)
2.) Danville, Kentucky USA
Danville's preservation efforts received national attention in 2001, when the National Trust for Historic
Preservation presented the town with a Great American Main Street Award. The award honored the
work of volunteers and city officials who came together to rehabilitate and beautify parts of downtown.
A collective $52 million was spent on renovation and preservation in the 1990s and has paid off with 110
new businesses opening and the creation of more than 300 new jobs.
Among the biggest preservation
projects in Danville was the
restoration of three historic buildings
known as The Hub. These connected
buildings were used as a department
store from 1914 to 1995. After
extensive renovations, the buildings
house a coffee shop, bookstore for
Centre College and doctors' offices.
Main Street has become a vibrant
shopping district in Danville, and a
change in the city's alcohol law led to
the opening of several new
restaurants, wine shops and bars.
City ordinances offer protection to buildings in a historic district and one street. There are five
residential districts on the National Register of Historic Places.
"We have many people and businesses that have moved here recently," says MaryJo Joseph, chairman
of Danville's Historic Committee. "I don't think any of them would have come if we didn't have a healthy
downtown. That is what I think draws people here."
Joseph, who is also a real estate agent, says many people want to live in old downtown buildings. She
says residents are committed to preserving the historic look the town has. The Heart of Danville, a group
formed in 1984, advocates for the protection of historic buildings and maintaining a vibrant central
business district. Danville's architecture is primarily in the Victorian style. A popular destination for
history lovers is Constitution Square, where there is a mixture of actual historic buildings and replicas.
Among the historic buildings is a post office that was built in the 1700s. October 2012 marks the 150th
anniversary of the Perryville Battlefield near Danville.
Number of Properties on the National Register of Historic Places (including districts): 61
Accolades:
2001 Great American Main Street, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Historic Landmarks: Constitution Square State Historic Site (1937), Jacobs Hall (1857), McDowell House
(1795)
3.) Muskogee, Oklahoma USA
The appetite for historic preservation is growing in Muskogee. Residents know they have a good thing
going and are beginning to take more aggressive steps toward protecting the character of their
community. While this city was formed as a railroad town in the late 1800s, its roots run much deeper
than that. It was the hub for the settlement and development of what became Indian Territory and
home to what is known as the Five Civilized Tribes who walked the Trail of Tears. Today, there are a
number of museums and cultural attractions in Muskogee that celebrate the city's heritage.
Visitors who truly want to immerse
themselves in Muskogee's history might
choose to spend the night in the Historic
Hayes House. The luxurious house was
constructed in the early 1900s and is located
near museums and Bacone College.
Among the latest preservation projects in
Muskogee is the renovation of a 100-year-old
structure in downtown that had become
dilapidated. The eight-story building, once
one of the tallest buildings in Muskogee, has
been turned into apartments for seniors with low- to medium-income levels. Another triumph for
preservationists in Muskogee was the rehabilitation of the Severs Block Building, also in downtown. The
building was completed in the late 1800s and was damaged in a fire 2006. The city was going to
demolish the building, but private investors found support in the preservation community to rebuild the
structure.
City ordinances prohibit the demolition of structures in designated historic districts without approval.
Local leaders say there is general support for the protection of historic properties. The city itself
maintains one of the largest and most beloved properties, Honor Heights Park, which was created in
1909.
"We're just reaching the age as a city where we have to do something to protect our heritage," says
Jonita Mullins, executive director of Downtown Muskogee. "Saving these buildings builds community
pride and has an economic component to it. Businesses see that you care about your community and
that we do care about quality of life. When anyone is looking to relocate they want to see that the
community is making efforts to improve the lives of their residents and keep its character."
Number of Structures on the National Register of Historic Places: 24
Accolades:
Named a Distinctive Destination in 2011 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation
Named a Top 10 Main Street Community by the Oklahoma Main Street Center
Historic Landmarks: Fite Mansion (1905), First Missionary Baptist Church (1903), Fort Gibson (1800s)


4. ) Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo is in the midst of a
citywide historic preservation
effort. Five neighborhoods are
being studied to identify
properties that are considered
landmarks and develop a
history for each area that will
ultimately help guide future
development by protecting the
past.
David Webb, president of a
preservation group called
Historic Pueblo, says no other city in the country is doing this. Webb says his goal is to place landmark
designations, which places certain restrictions on what can be done to the exterior of a property, on half
of the historic homes and buildings in the city.
"The first studies were to learn more of the history of the area," Webb says. "One on the Southside
explained why things were built and why they were done that way. Ultimately, this will help residents
take more pride in areas and make sure their neighborhoods are kept up."
Webb's group focuses as much, if not more, on education efforts as it does actual preservation. Among
Historic Pueblo's most popular programs is an annual historic homes tour.
"That way people get the opportunity to see the beautiful structures we have," he says. "They usually
get encouraged. It starts to spread. If you see one (historic home) that's fixed up, the next thing you
know others are fixing up their homes."
Renovated buildings, pedestrian pathways and the riverwalk have brought many people back to
downtown. Residents take great pride in the festivals and cultural attractions in Pueblo. There is also a
unique offering of restaurants and food choices in Pueblo.
Number of Properties on the National Register of Historic Places (including districts): 57
Historic Landmarks: Pueblo County Courthouse
(1912), Union Avenue Historic District (1800s),
Quaker Flour Mill (1869)
5.) Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, SC, has set the standard for historic
preservation. In 1931, it became the first city in the
country to establish a board of architectural
review. Charleston also has the oldest community-
based historic preservation group The
Preservation Society of Charleston.
There is an unparalleled collection of historic buildings in Charleston, reflecting architectural styles of
the Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate and Victorian eras. Nicknamed the Holy City, Charleston has a large
number of churches with steeples that dot the city's skyline. There are a number of Civil War sites in
Charleston as well. The pleasing aesthetics of Charleston make it a huge draw for tourists, which
provides a big boost to the local economy.
Each year, The Preservation Society of Charleston chooses seven sites representing seven broad issues
to focus on as part of a campaign called Seven to Save. Activities during the campaign can include
adaptive use plans, installation of historic markers, public awareness, fundraising, development of
protective ordinances and nominations to the National Register of Historic Places.
"I think historic preservation is relevant in the 21st century because our goal is to maintain our historic
properties. They tell us so much about who we were and where we've come from," says Robert Gurley,
assistant director of the preservation group. "A lot of the historic district is a testament to our passion
for our unique architectural heritage."
Number of Properties on the National Register of Historic Places (including districts): 97
Accolades:
Top U.S. City, Conde Nast Traveler 2011 Readers Choice Awards
No. 2 City in the World, Travel + Leisure
No. 4 City for Culture and Sightseeing, Trip Advisor
Favorite Southern City, Southern Living
Historic Landmarks: Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue (1840), St. Phillip's Episcopal Church (1836),
Rainbow Row (1800s), Aiken Rhett House (1818)

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